Pyromania

 

 

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Why can't it be 1983 again? Why did "alternative" music ever have to be created? Why do people laugh at my red leather jacket? I don't know, but one thing I do know is that this album still rocks after 20 years. Put in on and crank it up! And just for a moment, it will be 1983 again.

Released in 1983 Pyromania was UK band Def Leppard's big break, this is the album that got them recognition in the U.S. and for many of us, the first taste of the band. Its well-known now, Pyromania was a huge hit for the band earning 10X Platinum status in States alone (its 1987 follow up, Hysteria, was even more successful earning over 12X Platinum) and it remains one of the band's best album. Def Leppard was originally part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene in the early 1980's but for Pyromania the band had adopter a different approach with a lighter pop sound that brought them much more commercial success. I'm not sure if Def Lepp is considered a Hair or Glam-Metal band but they did have an influence on the movement and they seem to have the respect of most metal fans. If they are, then they would certainly be one of the better hair bands, to me it's just good classic rock'n'roll. In 2009 Pyromania received the big upgrade as it was remastered and re-released with an extra live CD from the band's performance in 1983 at the L.A. Forum. This was an album which deserved a deluxe treatment; it was an important part of Leppard's history and a big album in the 80's.

Let's go through some of the songs. Pyromania starts off with the rocking 'Rock Rock (Till You Drop), an energizing song and a great way to kick-start the album. 'Photograph' was the second Def Leppard song I heard (first of course was 'Pour Some Sugar On Me') and to this day it remains one of my favorite with what I'd describe as an instantly catchy chorus it's hard not to like this one. Then of course there are the excellent ballads 'Too Late For Love' and the highly underrated 'Comin' Under Fire', I always thought this song never got the recognition it deserves. My personal pick for best song of the album is 'Rock of Ages' but then again there a few contenders on Pyromania! 'Rock of Ages' is Def Lepp at their best simply said, the chorus is fantastic and it has all the elements of a great Leppard song. One of the best songs here is the closer 'Billy's Got a Gun' which is the most metal-oriented track here, a bit slow but highly effective, killer track.

The next step for the band was a big one, after drummer Rick Allen's accident that would take one of his arms in 1984 the band would recover and come back with their most successful album (and an excellent one as well), 1987's Hysteria. I would say that Pyromania rocks a little more than Hysteria however, but both albums are fantastic Def Leppard albums and are worthy of being in your collection. The album itself gets five stars but even if it's a very nice addition, the bonus live concert disc is unfortunately edited (I can't quite understand why bands feel the need to edit their live performances so much, I get why they remove some of audience interactions but why cut out solos and bits and pieces of songs?). If you're looking to buy just for the album itself, please do but if this is not your first time buying Pyromania then you should know that the live CD is edited in places. Overall, an excellent album and one that I feel is Def Leppard at its finest, 5 stars for the album itself.

All I can say is British bands in the 80's kicked ass
Pyromania is amazing...Def Leppard's peak
Hysteria is vastly overrated wether you like pop or not.
But Pyromania flows from start to finish with great riffs, catchy solos, just great songs. The best would be the epic Die hard the Hunter with Photograph coming in a close second.

Other than Metallica's RTL and MOP, this is probably one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time (i'm 14). Rock on

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5.0 out of 5 stars Def Leppards' best
Pyromania is considered to be one of the most definitive Rock albums of the early 80's. let me tell you this CD didn't sell over 10,000,000 coppies (in the U. Read more

Published on Oct 11 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars Def Leppard knows how to ROCK!!
I borrowed this CD from my father's extensive classic rock collection, and I was completely blown away. This is potent stuff right here; some of the best music I've heard! Read more

Published on Jun 25 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars The good with the bad
Hard to believe that this is the same band that turned out that musical septic tank, Hysteria. Pyromania was one of my favorite albums to play at maximum volume and I can vividly... Read more

Published on Jun 8 2004 by fabulousfishhead

5.0 out of 5 stars Ten Million copies and growing!!!
This album is on of the best Heavy Metal Albums ever!!! It took Def Leppard One year to record this. Robert John "Mutt" Lange returns on this album. Read more

Published on Jun 7 2004 by AcrobatLiveWire6251984

5.0 out of 5 stars janitor -x WHO?
first of all let me say, i've already did a review for pyromania and gave my five stars. for those of you who have not bought it yet, get it NOW. Read more

Published on May 5 2004 by Greg Reece

5.0 out of 5 stars Leppard's best, the 80's best
Pyromania is the brdige between a very good album, (High N Dry) and a pretty good one(Hysteria). Pyromania is the great one. Read more

Published on April 9 2004 by D. Ribel

3.0 out of 5 stars Its alright
Pyromania, its well its alright, not really haard rock not really hair metal, but very much commercial with a few really good songs. Read more

Published on Mar 27 2004 by Morton

1.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Ages of Heavy Metal, Pt. 2
For those who might think that '80's glam metal may have had a rebellious, fiery beginning before it became mainstream, they won't ever be able to find it. Read more

Published on Feb 29 2004 by Janitor X

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! Def Leppard truly rocks!
One of the best Rock Albums of all time! Buy this and enjoy! Def Leppard still amazes me to this day with their lyrics, performance and unbelievable instrumentals.

Published on Feb 22 2004 by Cameron Craig

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best albums EVER!
I purchased this C.D about 4 years ago and it instantly became one of my favorites. Forget what any overly-pompous jerk who wouldn't know good music if M TV still played it, this... Read more

Published on Feb 15 2004 by Mike Clor

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